One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Deliciously creamy Cajun pasta made in a single pot! My favourite half about this recipe is the sauce: it’s wealthy and tacky with a bit of spicy kick. Rigatoni pasta shapes lure that sauce superbly, and smoky Andouille sausage makes it really feel hearty and filling.

For extra Cajun taste, strive our Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta or our Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

Once you want one thing quick however nonetheless full of taste, this one-pot Cajun sausage pasta delivers. This recipe retains issues easy by cooking the pasta proper within the sauce, so it soaks up each little bit of taste whilst you chill out. We’re speaking full-on consolation meals vibes with out spending all night time within the kitchen. It’s a weeknight win!

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil: Any impartial oil will work, like avocado, canola, or vegetable.
• Onion: A medium yellow or white onion works.
• Purple Bell Pepper: Purple, orange, and yellow are sweeter, whereas inexperienced are sometimes cheaper. You possibly can substitute pink with any of the above.
• Andouille Sausage: For those who can’t discover andouille, kielbasa or one other smoked sausage can even work.
• Garlic: Recent garlic is most popular, or you need to use the jarred sort. You possibly can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder in the event you don’t have the others.
• Cajun Seasoning: This mix might be bought at most grocery shops within the spice aisle, however we want to make our own.
• Rigatoni or Penne: You need a pasta that can maintain that scrumptious, creamy sauce! Any tube-shaped pasta will work.
• Diced Tomatoes: You should use fire-roasted tomatoes as an alternative for a bit of extra taste.
• Heavy Cream: Additionally labeled Heavy Whipping Cream. If it is advisable lighten issues up, you need to use half-and-half, however it’ll be a thinner sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: For the perfect taste, keep away from pre-grated cheese, as they’ve anti-caking components that may have a grainy texture.

Andouille Sausage

You possibly can often discover andouille sausage within the meat part of most US grocery shops, usually close to different smoked or precooked sausages. It’s sometimes offered in a hyperlink that’s lengthy and curved.

For those who can’t discover andouille sausage, kielbasa, smoked sausage, and even cooked chorizo are nice choices. Need it gentle? Use candy Italian sausage and add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Adjusting the Warmth Degree

Extra Warmth: For those who love a spicy kick, there are many methods to amp up the warmth on this dish! Improve the quantity of cayenne pepper in your Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of pink pepper flakes. You possibly can even drizzle in a little bit of your favourite sizzling sauce for an additional punch.

Much less Warmth: For individuals who want a milder taste, merely omit the cayenne pepper within the home made Cajun seasoning or select a pre-made seasoning mix labeled as gentle.

Variations

Prepared to change issues up a bit of extra and make it your individual?

Make it lighter: Use half-and-half as an alternative of heavy cream. The sauce will likely be thinner, however nonetheless tasty!

Go veggie-heavy: Toss in a handful of spinach on the finish or sauté mushrooms together with your onions and peppers.

Gluten-free choice: Use a gluten-free penne or rotini that holds up effectively to simmering.

Ideas for Success

Don’t Skip the Slurry: It would really feel like an additional step, however that is what makes the sauce further silky and coats the pasta completely.

Use Low-Sodium Broth: Between the sausage, cheese, and Cajun seasoning, the salt provides up quick. Beginning with low-sodium broth offers you higher management.

Need it thicker? After stirring within the cream and cheese, simmer uncovered for a pair minutes extra. It’ll thicken up much more because it cools.

Serving Ideas

This one-pot pasta is a complete meal by itself, however in the event you’re in search of a bit of one thing further to pair with this dish, we’ve bought you coated. We love our Easy Skillet Cornbread, particularly with something Cajun! For those who’re not a fan of cornbread, strive our Rapid-Rise Skillet Rolls. This pasta is hearty sufficient to face by itself, however if you need sides, strive: